ANT'S ROCK

Ant McPartlin’s mum vows to be there for him after she’s left ‘shocked’ by his drink-drive court case

Christine Woodhall was unaware that her son Ant was drunk when she got into the car with him that fateful day, and the 61-year-old wants to be there for him when he gets out from rehab

Gossip

By Lauren Franklin

18th April 2018, 8:26 am

Updated: 18th April 2018, 11:44 am

ANT McPartlin’s mum has vowed to help him “sort himself out” after he returns from rehab following his drink-drive court hearing.

The Mirror reports that Christine Woodhall, 61, who was 42-year-old Ant’s passenger on the day of the crash that left a four-year-old girl injured, has been left “very shocked” by the case.

Christine Woodhall has vowed to be there for her son Ant

A source told The Mirror: “She hopes to be able to see him or speak to him. She was very shocked by the court case.

“It’s been a real wake-up call for everyone. She was not aware of his drinking when he got into the car; she would have said something. But she will help him sort himself out.”

Wimbledon Magistrates' court on Monday heard that the 42-year-old's mother and sober coach, Christine, didn't know her son was drunk as he got behind the wheel after taking his dogs for a walk last month.

Liam Walker, defending, told the court it was a "a brief relapse unbeknownst to his passenger".

Ant has returned to rehab following his court hearing

The troubled TV star's mother had desperately tried to keep her son on the straight and narrow, even having moved in with him in a bid to keep a closer eye on him.

She was just one of two people allowed to visit him in rehab, trying to support him as his marriage to Lisa Armstrong fell apart - with the pair now facing a £60m divorce battle.

His friend and co-host Declan Donnelly had also been one of the few allowed to visit Ant during his stint in rehab.

The crash was a blow to Ant’s career, with the troubled star fined £86,000 and banned from the road for 20-months as punishment for the reckless crash.

Ant stands dazed next to the smashed Mini on in Richmond, south west London

In sentencing, District Judge Barbara Barnes told McPartlin: "At the time when it happened you were struggling with various personal problems and also alcohol issues for some months.